CHICKEN FIVE WAYS

CHICKEN FIVE WAYS

Create these tasty marinades in minutes and combine with 1½ -2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx. 4 small breasts) for a healthy meal right off the BBQ grill.

Allow time for chicken to marinade for 1-4 hours for maximum flavor.

Southwest Chicken Salad Southwest Chicken Salad

Southwest Chicken

3 T. Olive Oil

2 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 1/2 tsp. chili powder

1 ½ tsp. ground cumin

1 ½ tsp. dried oregano leaves

½ tsp. salt

Combine ingredients and brush over both sides of chicken to coat. Grill over medium hot briquettes for 8-10 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink, turning once.

Serve immediately or use it to build a burrito or taco salad*

*  Build a Burrito: top warm flour tortillas with strips of Southwest Chicken and your choice of drained canned black beans, cooked brown or white rice, shredded cheese, salsa verde, shredded lettuce, and chopped cilantro. Fold in sides and roll to enclose filling. Heat in microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds or until heated thru or wrap in foil and heat in pre-heated over at 350 degrees until hot.

*  Taco Salad: For a quick one-dish meal, layer strips of Southwest chicken with tomato wedges, blue or traditional corn tortilla chips, shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce, shredded cheese, and avocado slices. Serve with salsa, sour cream, guacamole or a favorite dressing.

 *****

Grilled Rosemary Chicken

2 T. lemon juice

2 T. Olive Oil

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

2 T. minced fresh rosemary

¼ tsp. salt

Whisk together the ingredients and pour into either a shallow glass pan or a gallon size zip-lock bag. Add chicken and coat both sides. Cover and marinate in refrigerator for 1-4 hours.

Grill chicken over medium hot coals 5-6 minutes per side or until chicken is no longer pink in center.

Serve with kale salad or grilled vegetables (see recipes on blog).

*****

Sesame Orange Chicken Skewers

Sesame-Orange Chicken Skewers

½ cup hoisin sauce

¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar

¼ cup sesame oil

¼ cup orange juice

2 T. drained mandarin orange segments

1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped (or ½ tsp. garlic salt if you don’t have fresh)

In a gallon-sized re-sealable bag, combine all ingredients and mix well. Remove ¾ cup of the marinade for basting.

Cut chicken into strips and place in the bag, marinating for 1-4 hours. Remove chicken and discard used marinade.

Thread chicken onto bamboo skewers (soaked in water for at least 20 minutes to keep from burning). Grill skewers for 10-15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in the center and juices run clear when cut. Turn skewers once and baste often with additional ¾ cup marinade. Do not baste, during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Serve with steamed white or brown rice and snow peas.

*****

Thai Grilled Chicken

4 servings

¼ cup soy sauce

2 cloves minced garlic ( or 2 tsp. bootled minced garlic)

1.2 tsp. red pepper flakes

2 T. honey

1 T. fresh lime juice

Combine all ingredients but the honey and lime juice in a measuring cup.

Place chicken in a re-sealable plastic bag and pour marinade over chicken, turning to coat all sides. Marinate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Meanwhile, combine honey and lime juice in a small boawl until blended and set aside.

Place chicken on grill over medium heat. Brush with some of the leftover marinade from the dish. Discard the remaining marinade.

Grill covered for 5 minutes. Brush chicken with half of the honey mixture, turn and brush with remaining mixture. Grill 5 minutes more or until chicken is cooked through.

Serve with steamed rice, oriental vegetables and fresh fruit salad.

*****

Chicken Ribbon Satay

½ cup creamy peanut butter

½ cup water

¼ cup soy sauce

4 cloves garlic, pressed

3 T. lemon juice

2 T. firmly packed brown sugar

¾ tsp. ground ginger or 1 ½ tsp. crushed garlic (found in a jar at most grocery stores)

½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

sliced green onion tops (for garnish)

 

Combine all but green onion in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat 1 minute or until smooth; cool. Remove garlic from sauce; discard.

Reserve half of sauce for dipping.

Cut chicken lengthwise into 1 inch wide strips. Thread onto 8 metal or bamboo skewers (soaked in water at least 20 minutes to keep from burning)

Oil the grill to prevent sticking. Grill chicken on a covered grill over medium high heat, for 6-8 minutes or until the center is no longer pink, turning once.   Baste with the sauce once or twice during cooking.

Serve with reserved sauce garnished with slice green onion on a bed of jasmine rice.

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YUMMY CHICKEN ENCHILADA CASSEROLE

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CHICKEN ENCHILADA CASSEROLE

Pinch of Yum-inspired version

Serves: 10-12

INGREDIENTS

1 rotiserie-roasted chicken, cooled and shredded (make ahead if desired, I buy from local market)
1 large can (28 ounces) medium red or green enchilada sauce. (I use La Palma)
3 cups shredded cheese (I use combination of monterey jack and mozzarella)
12-15 small flour tortillas
1 ½ cans refried beans
sliced green onions or cilantro (optional)

DIRECTIONS Continue reading

Spicy Chicken Thai Noodle Salad

This is always a crowd pleaser This is always a crowd pleaser

Spicy Thai Noodle Salad

INGREDIENTS

3-4 cups oven-roasted chicken, shredded (as a short cut, pickup from the grocery store on the way home)
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 T sugar
2 T hot chili oil
2 T  balsamic vinegar
1 lb. package spaghetti
1/2 cup sesame seeds, toasted
1 cup green onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal, for garnish

 INSTRUCTIONS

Shred the chicken and set aside.  In a large bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, chili oil and vinegar.  Cook spaghetti, drain, rinse with cold water and drain again.  With your hands, immediately toss the pasta with the dressing, making sure pasta is completely and evenly coated.  Add the chicken and toss again.  Add seeds and continue folding dressing through the pasta and chicken.  Transfer to a shallow platter, top with green onions and serve at room temperature.  Great for a backyard barbecue.  This dish keeps well for up to two days, but add the green onions only shortly before serving.

Enjoy!

Adapted from my dear friend, Heather Boyd

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Best Orange Chicken ever!

CHINESE ORANGE CHICKEN

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

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My kids and hubby both give this one two thumbs up!

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless, chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks

1 cup 2 tablespoons cornstarch, divided

2 large eggs, beaten

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons sesame seeds

2-3 green onions, thinly sliced

 

FOR THE MARINADE

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup distilled white vinegar

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon orange zest

1 1/2 teaspoons Sriracha, (or more, to taste)

1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or ¼ tsp. ground ginger)

1/4 teaspoon pepper

 

INSTRUCTIONS

 

To make the marinade, whisk together chicken broth, orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, orange zest, Sriracha, ginger and pepper in a large bowl.

In a gallon size Ziploc bag or large bowl, combine chicken and 2/3 cup of the marinade; marinate for at least 30 minutes, turning the bag occasionally. Drain the chicken from the marinade, discarding the marinade.

Heat the remaining marinade in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and stir in 2 tablespoons cornstarch combined with 2 tablespoons water. Cook, stirring frequently, until thickened about 1-2 minutes; keep warm.

Working with 2-3 pieces at a time, dip the chicken into the eggs, then dredge in remaining 1 cup cornstarch, pressing to coat.

Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan. Working in batches, add chicken and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; discard excess oil.

Tossed or drizzle chicken with the marinade, garnished with sesame seeds and green onion, if desired. Serve with white rice.

 

Adapted from Damn Delicious

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